ALAN DOUGLAS THORENZ

Saturday

Sep 14, 2013 at 2:00 AM

August 2, 1945 - September 8, 2013

Middletown, NY

Alan, born in Port Chester, NY to Alfred and Anita Thorenz, transitioned into eternity on Sunday.

A graduate of Port Chester High School and Springfield College in Massachusetts, he recently retired from teaching Physical Education for the Monroe-Woodbury School District. He was so proud to be part of the highly successful football dynasty that led to state level victories and his prized State Championship ring. Originally working for IBM he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher and coach. He coached and taught football, wrestling, and baseball at Middletown, Monroe, and The King School in Connecticut. Both the students and co-workers he spent his time and energy with filled his life with purpose. Coaching his daughter and teammates to a three-peat 1st place standing within the Middletown Girls Little League made up for leaving High School Baseball, his original passion. Post graduate work at Fairfield University led to Administrative certification, but his work as an Assistant Principal in Massachusetts and managing pools and waterfronts reinforced his desire to be a teacher rather than an administrator.

Al's varied interests kept him busy. Whether working as a professional bartender for Abigail Kirsch, as a Residence Life Dormitory Director at Springfield College, as a house painter.he treasured the experiences and acquaintances garnered each day. He valued each person who helped him on his way and who cared as strongly about things as he did. He was wise and determined enough to live each day fully and to not put off enjoying every opportunity to do what he was passionate about.

An avid athlete who was focused on heath and exercise, he loved swimming at Wanaksink Lake, kayaking everywhere, and bicycling every road and wooded trail in the county. He cherished those who shared these passions with him and was thankful to those who enabled him. He will miss all who shared these moments with him, whether coaching, painting, riding, skiing, running, driving sport cars, playing racquetball, or working out.

He is survived by wife, Virginia Lemmerman Thorenz of Middletown; son, Adam Thorenz of Middletown; daughter, Erika Emanuele and husband, Dan of Wisconsin, sister, Wendy Thorenz of Connecticut and beloved granddaughter, MaKayla. He also leaves behind Aunt Gerda Ericson, Aunt Gert Wellstood, Cousins Christina Wilkinson, Sandra Wenk, Donna and Chris Stark, Peter and Shelly Wellstood, Michael and Marissa Wellstood, Deb and Charlie Carafiello, Helen Brown, their families as well as the Lemmerman families, the Neighborhood families, and so many MW and Middletown friends.

At Al's request there will be no wake or funeral. A future Celebration of Life will be held. The family asks that all family, friends, team members and acquaintances share an Al story, memory, and photos. These can be sent to althorenzmemories@frontier.com. We hope to create a His-story book including notes and art work, etc. to present to his nine-month old granddaughter who will not have the opportunity to get to know him personally.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Middletown, NY; to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.connellfuneralhome.com